"Cypriot tourists invade Istanbul
By Michael Simopoulos
MORE and more Cypriots are travelling to Istanbul as part of their summer holidays, the president of the Association of Cypriot Travel Agents, Akis Kelepesiis, revealed yesterday.
The number of Cypriot tourists travelling to the city have risen threefold since last year, and it is expected that more than 3,000 Cypriots will travel to Istanbul, compared to 1,000 in 2004. The increase became apparent in May when the demand for tourist packages rose spectacularly.
The Greek islands continue to be the number one Cypriot holiday retreat; however Kelepesiis was quick to point out that the appeal of each destination were very different.
“The number of Cypriot travellers to Istanbul have risen dramatically this year,” Kelepesiis asserted. “However, the purpose of the visit is purely as an excursion, and the majority of Cypriots travel there primarily for reasons of worship. Ayia Sofia especially attracts the vast amount of Cypriots to Istanbul.”
He was also keen to emphasise that Greece was treated primarily as a vacation destination, rather than a visiting trip.
Travel agents across Cyprus are now offering week-long package deals to Istanbul, and have also begun including the city in their holiday brochures. Kelepesiis also mentioned that the cost of such packages provided a lucrative option to Cypriot tourists, with prices in the region of about �400."
Cypriot tourists invade Istanbul:
